Frog Dissection Lab:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Procedure:
Ecology of Amphibians: Amphibians must live near water, which explains why they are common in tropical rain forests. Most can not live in desert biomes because there would not be enough water to keep their skin moist. Amphibians make the ideal prey for larger animals, making it more crucial for them to adapt. Some of these adaptations include camouflaged-colored skin and skin glands containing poisonous substances. The population of the group in the world has been declining because they are more susceptible to a variety of environmental threats.
Groups of Amphibians and their Characteristics: There are three groups of amphibians: salamanders and frogs and toads. The generic salamander body plan is a cylindrical body with four very short limbs and a tail. Salamanders are differentiated from other amphibians because all salamander larvae, juveniles and adults have tails. Frogs and toads are part of the order Anura. One of the things that makes animals from this group different from salamanders and caecilians is their ability to jump. Frogs tend to jump longer distances than toads do which helps to explain why frogs have longer legs than toads. Adult frogs and toads do not have tails. While frogs typically live closer to bodies of water such as ponds and streams, toads often live in moist woods or deserts. Caecilians are the least known group of amphibians. They are legless that either live in water or burrow themselves in moist soil or sediment. They feed on small invertebrates such as termites. Many of them have scales embedded in their skin. This demonstrates that some amphibians don’t fit the general description. |